So we've begun!

As I type this, current champs Adrenaline are playing The Stomping Grounds in the opening match, the only game played today. We have just had the buffet and the drawing ceremonies for the 'main' events, and after this match we will be having out first ESWC 'chill-out' party. Where we'll play a lot of poker.

Most of the teams have had their first practice session, held at the location of their tournament games.

Sizah and Zr0 have arrived (and possibly Mmemetic, though I haven't seen him yet), via train paid for by the insurance company following their crash. They are alive and well, and report that If22 was pumped full of painkillers when they left this morning. The crash was at 2am last night. They couldn't find a reasonably priced hotel near Paris, so decided to drive south a little. There was apparently a little fooling around with a Fatality-style toy tiger, which distracted the driver, perhaps causing their accident. They retrieved most of their luggage, and are all fine bar If22, who we believe will arrive tomorrow.

The opening ceremony was largely in English, with the organisers, sponsors and partners thanking each other for a while, followed by a long and tedious drawing process. As you can see, the groups for the main events are online, with the Masters Cups still waiting, to be drawn after this CS match finishes.

We had a buffet in the building that held last year's closing party, which was notably busier. It was also notable for the few people who realised the free wine existed, but I'm not going to complain about that very much.

Before that, we had a large school-photo style gathering, on a stage setup for a pop-idol concert (apparently), later in the week. The finals will also be held on this stage, which is built out of the water at the laser show. We are not sure when this group photo will be available, but with around 700 gamers, staff, spectators and press, it should be worth taking a look at, with the ultra-high-resolution promised.

Coming soon... Video interviews, Raccoon's ESWC gallery, predictions based on the groups, and perhaps a few text interviews, for your delectation.

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